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Mammon in Verseland 



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The Power of Money 




Class _:r:5_^52^ 

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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



Mammon in Verseland 



OR 



The Power of Money 

BY 

GEORGE WASHINGTON NIMS 



Author of "A Keepsake More Precious Than Klondike Gold, 
"Golden Lines of Wisdom for the Young," "Uncle Reuben's 
Adventures Abroad," "Nims's Humorous Question-Book," 
"Friendship and Home in Poetry and Song," "The De- 
serted Farm," "Sweetheart and Wife in Poetry and 
Song," "Forsaken by the World," "The Quar- 
train Instructor of Youth," "Nims's Humo- 
rous Epitaphs," "Mother in Poetry and 
Song," "Human Nature in Public and 
Private Life," "The Counsellor of 
Youth and Friend to Old- 
Age," "The Declining 
Village," etc., etc. 



BOSTON, MASS.: 

Press of E. L. Grimes Company 

122 Pearl Street 



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j" Page 

V^ There's Nothing Takes The Place Of Money '. . 7—8 

' Purse Pride 8— 9 

^ If You Have Gold and Wisely Live 0— 10— 11 

'^ The Blessings Gold Bestows 11—12 

: Why Foolish Act ? 12—13 

: No ! No ! Yes ! Yes ! You Must Have Money 13—14 

A Boastful Millionaire 14 — 15 

Miserly 15—16 

If I Am Pennyless 16—17 

What Mammon's Power Can Do 18 

The Young Act Wisely When 19 

While You With Wealth Can Dine 19—20 

A Friend To Money Be 20—21 

What Mammon Cannot Do 21—22 

Quartrain 22 

Timely Couplets 22—23 

ni-Gotten Wealth 24 

Laughing At Charity 25 

The Mighty Dollar 26—27 

Now I Don't Have To Hang My Head 27—28 

If Principle In Place Of Money Ruled 28 

Quartrain 29 

Not For Money 29—30 

The Man Of Means 30—31 

Judge By Character And Not By Gold 31—32 

While Many Thousands You Possess 33 

The Slave To Selfishness 34 

While Money Is My Friend 36—36 

What Makes You Put On Airs ? 36—37 

No Great Loss 37—38 

Gold Drew The Line 38—39 

In The Mad Rush For Gold 39—40 

Spend Money Wisely 40 — 41 

Refuse To Act Dishonestly 41 — 42 



One May Be Rich 42—43 

The Gold-Struck Man. 43—44 

A Mammon Dialogue 45 

When I Returned A Millionaire 46 — 47 

When Wealthy I Became 47—48 

A Back Number 48—49 

I Love My Gold Too Well 49—50 

Who Judge From The Standpoint Of Gold 60—51 

However Rich 61 — 52 

Should You Some Day With Wealth Reside 52—53 

What Friend Can Do So Much For You ? 63—54 

Yes, If 65 

The Love Of Gold 55—56 

Money And Old-Age , 57 — 58 

My Greedy Heirs 58—59 

While You Have Money 69—60 

I'm Called A Gentleman '. 60—61 

Tho' Talented Or Not 61—62 

Unjustly Slighted 62—63—64 

The Model Business Man 64—65 

No Change In Me 66—66 

The Young Do Well 66 

A Touching Dialogue 67 — 68 

Quartrains And Couplets 68—69—70 



THERE'S NOTHING TAKES THE PLACE OF 
MONEY. 

In all your wandering thro' this vale of life, 

In all its varied scenes of light and shade, 

In sunshine or in tempests wild and drear. 

At home or in the busy marts of trade ; 

Upon the land or on the ocean blue, 

In trying times or in prosperity. 

In days of dark despair or seasons bright — 

Where'er your earthly dwelling-place may be — 

You'll find there's nothing takes the place of money. 

Chorus : 
My boys, roam where you will, live where you may, 
However wise, however good you be; 
Tho' you a spotless reputation boast, 
Or on you sweetly smiles prosperity. 
You'll find there's nothing takes the place of money. 

Tho' your fair name be known the wide world o'er, 

Tho' gifted or tho' clever you may be, 

However great, however kind and good, 

However brave you seem on land or sea; 

Tho' honors or tho' virtues fitly crown 

Your noble efforts for mankind on earth, 

Tho' world-wide be your reputation here, 

Tho' royal or tho' humble was your birth. 

You'll find there's nothing takes the place of money. 

Tho' you a Christian be or sinner vile, 
Tho' in a city or a ville you dwell, 
Tho' poorly or tho' gaily you may dress, 
Tho' men may wish you ill or wish you well ; 



8 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

Should glory, honor, worth and fame be yours, 

With every earthly boon that men hold dear, 

Tho' all your fondest hopes be realized 

And all your noblest wishes blossom here, 

You'll find there's nothing takes the place of money. 

Tho' every cherished want be gratified 

And every fond desire be granted you, 

Tho' naught but joy and pleasure on you smile 

Or those you dearly love ne'er prove untrue; 

Tho' countless blessings fall upon your head 

And all your aspirations bud and bloom, 

Tho' happiness and friends your journey cheer 

Along life's winding highway to the tomb, 

You'll find there's nothing takes the place of money. 

PURSE PRIDE. 

Alas! on my poor relatives 

To call, I never care, 
Because they dwell in quarters mean 

And often poorly fare. 

Because they never dress in style. 

Or live, lo, as they should, 
I think I ought to shun them e'en 

When they are kind and good. 

I know not how it seems to want. 

For I with plenty dwell. 
And on my right hand and my left 

Friends love to wish me well. 

So why ought I to notice those 
That I look down upon. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

Who never wear — 'tis sad to say — 
A decent coat or gown? 

One must be well supplied with gold 

And live on a swell street, 
On whom I'd deign to call, or e'en 

In public warmly greet. 

I must uphold my dignity 

Tho' I on justice tread, 
And never mingle with the poor 

Till I to pride am dead. 

Thus shall I act while I'm well off — 

How foolish it may seem — 
E'en should the wise believe my brain 

With folly's seeds must teem. 

IF YOU HAVE GOLD AND WISELY LIVE. 

If you have gold and wisely live, 

You will respected be. 
And thought more of than one who fights 

The ills of poverty; 
At home — abroad, lo! everywhere 

That money is admired, 
Who for its worth and mighty power 

To talk are never tired. 

If you have gold and wisely live, 

You can be well supplied 
With this world's goods and in a home 

With plenty blest, reside; 
And move in good society, 



10 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

Where the well-dressed appear, 
And be looked up to by the friends 
Who seem to you so dear. 

If you have gold and wisely live, 

The world will stand by you. 
And for your comfort and your weal 

Be not ashamed to do; 
Then dudes do 'bout your greatness blow 

And of your fortune boast. 
And, when 'tis possible, are glad 

To have you for a host. 

If you have gold and wisely live, 

You will be welcome everywhere 
The poor would strive in vain to be — 

In mansions rich and fair ; 
For gold makes one important feel 

And charms the proud and vain, 
Who, but for it, to plenty's courts 

Would not an entrance gain. 

If you have gold and wisely live, 
You can and will do good, 

And when it is your duty to 

Don kindness' sunny hood; 

Giving to aid those objects that 
Uplift, reform and cheer — 

Striving to make life's pathway seem 
To the oppressed less drear. 

If you have gold and wisely live, 

You'll not to self be wed. 
Or with the mean and miserly 
Desire to make your bed; 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND II 

But you will for your neighbor care — 

Regardless of his creed — 
And nobler feel when you have done 

A kind and worthy deed. 

THE BLESSINGS GOLD BESTOWS. 

The blessings gold bestows are rich 

And numerous, indeed, 
So those who never want, of life's 

Good things are not in need. 

Among its gifts are stately homes. 

Where wealth and culture reign, 
And those unknown to cruel want 

With cheerful plenty train. 

To those who love to noticed be 

It is no slender reed. 
Or a mere petty boon to one 

Who sows ambition's seed. 

Ay, influence and power it can 

To many freely give, 
And prove a factor powerful 

To those who wisely live. 

To those who are in need it can 

The sweets of plenty bring. 
And cause a life by penury cursed 

With cheerfulness to sing. 

It can misfortune's ills blot out 

And drive the wolf away. 
And cause one, whom ill-luck has marked, 

His honest debts to pay. 



12 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 



In all the varied walks of life 

It can of service be, 
And, as naught else on earth, the poor 

From hunger's grip dost free. 

No earthly friend one ever finds 
That can such blessings bring 

To those who have rough rows to hoe — 
That makes life seem like spring. 

At home, abroad, where'er one roams, 

No boon like gold he'll find ; 
For what can take its place, or be 

To those who want so kind? 

WHY FOOLISH ACT? 

Why foolish act by envying the rich 
When they in mansions dwell, 

When they in costly coaches ride and men 
Delight to wish them well? 

Why foolish act by basely slurring one 

Whom fortune smiles upon, 
Who in the favored realm of golden wealth 

In affluence was born ? 

Why foolish act by vainly striving to 

Abolish wealth on earth. 
By leaving understanding's sunny vales 

To sit by folly's hearth? 

Why foolish act by wishing ill to one 
Whom mammon loves to please, 

Because, to play the part of gentleman. 
So well with him agrees? 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND I3 



Why foolish act by hating one who can 

With affluence dine and sleep, 
When consequently you, some day, the thorns 

Of misery may reap ? 

NO! NO! YES! YES! YOU MUST HAVE 
MONEY. 

No ! no ! yes ! yes ! you must have money 
To live in style, to dine on honey; 
For if you want you're not at all 
More than a beggar on the mall; 
Men pass you by while coxcombs shun. 
And oft at your expense make fun ; 
Tho' you be good, upright and true, 
They nothing want with you to do. 

Chorus : 
No! no! yes! yes! you must have money, 
Tho' you be humble, proud or funny. 
If you would o'er this wide world roam, 
Or dwell with love and peace at home. 

No ! no ! yes ! yes ! you must have money 

If you'd be always bright and sunny. 

If you would ever welcome be 

At home or in society; 

To win respect where'er you dwell. 

To hear men say, "We wish you well!" 

To be esteemed by those you love 

And courted like the good above. 

No! no! yes! yes! you must have money, 
Tho' you be sober, wise or funny; 



14 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

If you would all your wants supply 

Or your ambition satisfy ; 

If you would be a favorite 

And shine among the gay and bright, 

Say what you may, do what you will, 

Yes ! yes ! you must have money still. 

A BOASTFUL MILLIONAIRE. 

To-day I am a millionaire 

Of whom the world is proud, 

That I believe will madly weep 
When I have donned the shroud. 

Where'er I go folks flatter me 
And think I'm something great — 

That I should be admired — since I'm 
An honor to the State. 

I ask no odds of any one, 

But dine upon the best, 
And in a mansion fair to view 

I find a bower of rest. 

My many wants are all supplied 
And pleasure is my friend. 

For which I often part with gold 
And lend a helping hand. 

Now I am independent, friends 

Are multiplying fast. 
Who years ago refused to bow, 

But by me quickly passed. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 1 5 

Now I don't care what people say, 

Or what they think of me — 
And never will while gold can make 

Me independent be. 

While money is the golden prize 

The world is struggling for, 
How often people backbite me 

I needn't care a straw. 

While gold is thought more of than brains. 

Admirers I'll ne'er lack, 
So long as I with ample means 

My interests can back. 

The world will bow and scrape and smile. 

And love to favor me. 
While I'm a man of wealth and far 

Removed from poverty. 

MISERLY. ' ' 

Yes, yes! some call me miserly 

Because I dread to give. 
Or, possibly, because to save 

I dare to meanly live. 

I must confess that I am close — 

In money matters — mean. 
Or I with littleness, I'm sure. 

Would not so oft be seen. 

When one in need on me dares call, 

Then I begin to shake 
Like one removed half-frozen froni 

Some icy Arctic lake. 



l6 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 



Why should I give to aid the poor? 

What have they done for me? 
I Hve myself like one who eats 

The crumbs of poverty. 

To one who rather lose a tooth 

Than to part with a cent, 
The needy never ought to come — 

Not even when they're sent. 

To selfishness I own I'm wed, 

And hope I'll always be, 
For I care naught how oft the world 

May call me "miserly." 

Alas! what I am living for 

I own I cannot guess. 
But it is not because I wish 

My fellow-men to bless. 

So, when I'm gone, the world will say ; 

"Another fool is dead," 
And, for aught that I know, 'tis plain 

It will have wisely said. 

IF I AM PENNYLESS. 

Will servants at my bidding come 

Or think of my welfare. 
Or of me love to kindly speak 

And for me really care, 

If I am pennyless? 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 1 7 

Will my relations bow and in 

Me take an interest, 
Or, when I choose to visit them. 

Be called "an honored guest," 

When I am pennyless? 

Will I a member be of clubs 

Where gold and fashion reign, 
Or to the mansions of the rich 

An entrance quickly gain, 

If I am pennyless? 

Will I be by the well-to-do 

Thought something of, at least, 
Or in swell restaurants be seen 

With millionaires to feast. 

If I am pennyless? 

Will those I love and venerate 

Be not ashamed of me, 
Or wish that time would faster fly 

When in my company. 

If I am pennyless? 

Will I, however talented. 

Be flattered by the proud, 
Who seem to overlook the fact 

That they must don a shroud, - 

If I am pennyless? 

Will I be held in high esteem 

By those who worship gold, 
Or must I live like homeless tramps 

And dine out in the cold. 

If I am pennyless? 



l8 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

WHAT MAMMON'S POWER CAN DO. 

Mammon can make it possible 

For fools to honored be, 
And cause those who from justice stray 

To practise bribery. 

It can cause weak and shallow minds 

To sneer at one in need, 
And often overwork the poor 

To please the love of greed. 

To act abusively, it can 

Force cold and stony hearts. 

Ay, on the stage of life to play 
tin just and foolish parts. 

Many who fail to wisely live 

It can bankrupt and curse, 
And play a tyrant's part with one 

Who has an empty purse. 

It can set men upon their feet 

Who dine with poverty, 
And cause them to exchange poor cots 

For mansions fair to see. 

E'en nations it can influence 

And rulers basely bribe, 
And often twist the law to please 

Those on injustice' side. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND I9 

THE YOUNG ACT WISELY WHEN. 

The young act wisely when they do 

Not Hve for empty show, 
But in the fields of usefulness 

The seeds of wisdom sow. 

The young do wisely act when they 

Dare not bow down to gold, 
When they have no desire to be 

One of oppression's fold. 

The young act wisely when they judge 

By character — not wealth — 
When they think more, ay, than of gold, 

Of a good name and health. 

The young act wisely when they do 

Not care or long to hoard, 
Or bow to greed or reckless act, 

To be by folly gored. 

WHILE YOU WITH WEALTH CAN DINE. 

The good things of this life are yours 

While you with wealth can dine, 
No matter where you choose to dwell. 

In cots or mansions fine ; 
You can with those who pleasure woo 

Know how a good time seems. 
And tour, lo, to your heart's content, 

While you have ample means. 

If you have a contented mind 
And are from sickness free, 



20 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

And distant roam unwelcome cares 

With cold adversity ; 
You can with happiness abide 

And fool your time away, 
And recreation find among 

The idle and the gay. 

Enjoyments many may be yours, 

And honors not a few ; 
And if you good-behavior court 

You'll be respected, too; 
For what like money can make one 

So many friends possess? 
Or give so many worldly gifts 

To comfort, cheer and bless? 

While gold is plentiful with you 

And you uprightly live, 
You can those envied blessings share 

That only wealth can give ; 
And never be looked down upon 

Like those who want have been, 
But in high-toned society 

With millionaires be seen. 

A FRIEND TO MONEY BE. 

If you would walk in wisdom's paths 

And with good-sense reside. 
You'll never basely hoard your gold 

Or with a spendthrift side ; 
But how and when you spend it you 

Will always careful be. 
If you the blessings long to share 

Of rich prosperity. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 21 

A friend to money you will be, 

So long as you believe 
In acting well your part, and you 

Are not inclined to leave 
Discretion's company for one 

Who fires his scrip away — 
That like a fool but rarely asks, 

''Does wasting money pay?" 

However large your income be. 

Refuse to squander it, 
Or to be seen in honor's courts 

You are, indeed, unfit; 
For when you throw your gold away 

You part with a good friend, 
That can in trying times to you 

A helping hand soon lend. 

Wherever you may dwell or roam, 

A friend to money be, 
While cheerful plenty you prefer 

To friendless poverty; 
While you aspire to prosperous be 

And with the thrifty side, 
And never lightly speak of gold 

Or mammon's power deride. 

WHAT MAMMON CANNOT DO. 

Gold never can make you beloved. 

Or sorrow from you keep — 
However large your fortune be — 

Tho' you should millions reap. 



2^ MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

It cannot soften a hard heart 

Or make men nobly Hve, 
Or force you for the cause of truth 

Your time and means to give. 

It cannot make you follow in 
The steps that Jesus trod, 

Or force an unbelieving mind 
To humbly worship God. 

It cannot make you honest act, 

Or force one to love you, 
Whom you admire, nor to fair play 

Compel you to be true. 

When death draws nigh it fails to save 
E'en those you love the best. 

And helpless seems when they beneath 
The sod are laid to rest. 

So wise are they who do not say 

That money's ''all in all," 
Who at the feet of mammon do 

Not wish too oft to fall. 

QUARTRAIN. 

Don't meanly act for mammon's sake, 

Whoever you may be. 
But say: 'T'd rather be a man 

Than to act miserly." 

TIMELY COUPLETS. 

Wealth ne'er oppresses when 'tis in 
The hands of those who dread to sin. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 2^ 

O envy not the rich while you 
To sense and justice would be true! 

Who slurs the well-to-do may be 
Lo! one who ain't from folly free. 

One can be rich and not be mean, 
And with unfairness ne'er be seen. 

Love to instruct as well as entertain, 

If you would wisdom's approbation gain. 

A gentleman is not puffed up by gold. 
Since he of sense will not leave go his hold. 

Gold can make shallow minds like idiots act, 
Like one devoid of gumption, sense and tact. 

Think more of character, ay! than of gold, 
If you desire to join uprightness' fold. 

With bribery see that you have naught to do, 
And daily with the truth your vows renew. 

No man of honor is a friend to graft. 
But many a fool who floats on folly's raft. 

Never abuse old friends for gold. 
Like one who has his conscience sold. 

Shun those who at fair dealing grin. 
While you would be a foe to sin. 

You can afford to be to graft a foe, 
And base corruption's seeds ne'er sow. 



24 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH. 

Dishonest methods never use 

Or smile on ill-got gain, 
Lest you, alas ! some hapless day 

Your character should stain ; 
While in the paths of righteousness 

You wish to daily tread, 
And to what can upbuild and bless, 

You would life's prospects wed. 

Merely to please the love of gain. 

Refuse to steal or cheat. 
While honor and fair play you prize 

And justice love to greet; 
Lest you within some prison walls 

A jail-bird some day be. 
And when too late you sigh in vain 

For peace and liberty. 

While you a conscience clear can boast 

And an unsullied name. 
You'll ne'er, to please ill-gotten wealth, 

Your sense of honor shame; 
Tho' you with poverty must dine 

And with pale want reside. 
You'll not allow dishonesty 

To be your boss and guide. 

So to fair dealing be a friend 

Where'er you roam or dwell, 
And see that all your acts and words 

For worth and justice tell; 
Then on the safe side you'll be found 

With those who fairly deal. 
Who frown on under-handedness, 

And safely guard their weal. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 25 

LAUGHING AT CHARITY. 

Do not expect too much of one 

Who laughs at charity — 
Wherever he may roam or dwell, 

Wherever he may be; 
For he cannot with goodness walk 

Or live as justice would, 
Who heartlessly can sneer at one 

That labors to do good. 

Tho' in a mansion he resides, 

And fortune is his friend. 
While he to the unfortunate 

A hand will never lend ; 
Tho' in a garret he abides 

And hungry often feels, 
And with his fellow-men he swears 

He always fairly deals. 

On a low plane he must abide 
And a small soul possess, 
And rarely be afraid to stray 

From worth and righteousness; 
And in the dirt of meanness plays 
An undeserving part — 
For he, alas ! can justly claim 
A cold and callous heart. 

No monument to him the world 

Will ever rear, or shed 
A tear, as it would for the good, 

When he is cold and dead; 
Since he deserves to be forgot 

Who worships selfishness, 
And, like a fool, is wont to laugh 

At those who cheer and bless. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

THE MIGHTY DOLLAR. 

The mighty dollar I have found 

To be man's surest friend in need, 
When human friends have proved untrue 

A never-failing boon, indeed ; 
When old acquaintances deceive 

And those I love at me do stare, 
It never fails to solace me. 

At home, abroad, ay! everywhere. 

To man's most trusted earthly friend, 

When sick and sore on beds of pain, 
For nurses kind and treatment fair 

I've never, never sought in vain ; 
Wherever I have roamed or dwelt 

I've found in it a faithful friend, 
In cold misfortune's darkest hours. 

Ready a helping hand to lend. 

For me, man's surest earthly friend 

Has never failed to win respect, 
So long as I have justly lived, 

Tho' plainly or tho' gaily decked; 
In fashion's halls or on the green, 

The world has firmly stood by me. 
And oft my friendship kindly sought 

Since I've from poverty been free. 

When want and trouble dragged me down, 
Man's surest friend soon rescued me. 

When I had naught, a fortune gave, 
Which freed me from adversity; 

So I shall ne'er forget this friend 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 2/ 

Or cease to prize, where'er I live, 
The countless blessings it bestows. 
That gold and only gold can give. 

NOW I DONT HAVE TO HANG MY HEAD. 

Now I don't have to hang my head, 

As I did long ago, 
When seeds of want and poverty 

It was my lot to sow ; 
For now I live in a fine house 

And plenty smiles at me. 
And those I love feel quite at home, 

Lo ! in my company. 

Now I don't have to hang my head. 

For fortune is my friend, 
Who gladly any time for me 

A helping hand would lend; 
For I no odds of others ask, 

But independent be, 
So why should I look sheepish when 

I dine with luxury? 

Now I don't have to hang my head. 

For I am looked up to. 
No matter where I roam or dwell, 

Whatever I may do; 
For since a fortune fell to me 

Fm welcome everywhere — 
At least where'er I choose to call, 

Now I so richly fare. 

Now I don't have to hang my head, 
For I can finely dress, 



28 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

While money is a friend that can 

A human being bless; 
And while my bank account is large 

And friends about me flock, 
I'll look my neighbors in the face 

And stand as firm's a rock. 

IF PRINCIPLE IN PLACE OF MONEY RULED. 

If principle in place of money ruled, 

Alas ! what startling changes men would see, 
How many now who in fair mansions dwell 

Would quickly fall upon the bended knee. 
If fortune never smiled but on the just, 

And life's good things could ne'er be purchased by 
The godless workers of iniquity, 

Who fortunes often gain thro' methods sly ! 

If only to the good wealth chose to bow, 

To those who follow after righteousness. 
How many now would leave their palace homes 

Who live like kings and elegantly dress; 
How many now who sleep in unmarked graves 

Would honored be with monuments sublime, 
If principle in place of money ruled 

In this wide world so full of guilt and crime! 

How many now would hang their heads for shame 

If only character would diamonds buy. 
If justice only fame and honor won, 

Who carry now their haughty heads so high; 
If only worth and strict integrity 

Would affluence and earthly treasure win, 
If at the righteous only gold would smile 

And never on the followers of sin ! 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 29 

QUARTRAIN. 

Not all whom fortune favors most 

Are fond of doing good, 
Or long to play a noble part 

In life, as goodness would. 

NOT FOR MONEY. 

For money, never dare to steal 

While justice you revere. 
And honesty and righteousness 

To you seem fondly dear ; 
Tho' want should stare you in the face, 

Be honest night and day. 
E'en when the pangs of hunger gnaw — > 

Remember, it will pay. 

For money, never falsify 

While truth to you seems dear, 
Whilst right and honor you esteem 

And to act meanly, fear; 
While you abhor deceitfulness 

And by fair-dealing stand, 
And you can justly say that you 

Belong to frankness' band. 

For money, ne'er a fellow-man 

E'en wish or dare to slay, 
So long as you would wisely live 

And with the upright stay ; 
While needlessly you do not wish 

A good name to disgrace, 
And base temptations any time 

Are not afraid to face. 



30 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

For money, never mar your name 

Or awful deeds commit, 
So long as you in goodness' courts 

Be one who loves to sit; 
While you in nobleness believe 

And that right-living pays. 
And you the good would gladly crown 

With honor's cherished bays. 

For money, never proudly act 

Or put on silly airs, 
Nor look down on a fellow-man 

Who faded garments wears ; 
So long as you would nobly act 
And with good-sense abide. 
While you with what pertains to gold 

Would with uprightness side. 

THE MAN OF MEANS. 

Who is so welcome anywhere 
That men are wont to stray, 
Or looked up to so oft — of whom 
Folks have so much to say, 
Ay! as the man of means? 

In cities or in country towns, 
Wherever you may be, 
At home, or far away, who do 
Men love so well to see 
Ay ! as the man of means ? 

Even in church and Sunday-school, 
Who can you hope to find 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 3 1 

Whose presence is so much desired, 
Tho' homespun or refined, 
Ay! as the man of means? 

In good society to-day, 

Who is so entertained, 
Or talked so pleasantly about 
As those who've fortunes gained, 
Ay! as the man of means? 

Who is so envied now, when gold 
Is thought more of than God, 

By those who flatter fortune's sons 
And to the prosperous nod, 
Ay! as the man of means? 

Who can so much of pleasure see, 

Or be so oft admired 

By those who in the company 

Of wealth are never tired, 

Ay ! as the man of means ? 

Who can so independent feel, 

Or hold the head so high, 
Or boast so many anxious heirs 

Who long to have him die. 

Ay ! as the man of means ? 

JUDGE BY CHARACTER AND NOT BY GOLD. 

If you would please the wise and good 

And far from folly stray, 
And on the stage of life a part 

Worth acting nobly play, 
Then judge by character and not by gold. 



32 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

If you would sense and reason please 

And nobleness applaud, 
And never, never wish to be 

Where error oft has trod, 
Then judge by character and not by gold. 

If you would righteousness uphold 

And in fair play believe, 
And thro' your foolish actions ne'er 

The heart of honor grieve. 
Then judge by character and not by gold. 

If you dread to misjudge a friend, 
Or would the good will gain 

Of those who can act sensibly 
And not their honor stain. 

Then judge by character and not by gold. 

If you would not unfairly act 

Or wrongfully accuse, 
Or needlessly the poor ill-treat, 

Or decency abuse. 
Then judge by character and not by gold. 

If you with Jesus long to walk, 

And on injustice frown, 
And in an under-handed way 

Would ne'er a brother down. 
Then judge by character and not by gold. 

If you would act impartially 

And none desire to wrong. 
And to the order of fair play 

Wish always to belong, 
Then judge by character and not by gold. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 33 

WHILE MANY THOUSANDS YOU POSSESS. 

You never will be called a "tramp" 

Or a "poor, worthless thing," 
By those, alas! who judge by gold 

Or songs of penury sing, 
While many thousands you possess. 

You never will be forced to beg 

Or hunger often feel, 
But rather with the well-to-do 

At plenty's altars kneel, 
While many thousands you possess. 

Want never will discourage you 

Or make Hfe drearier seem, 
Or in the stilly hours of night 

Bid you of misery dream. 
While many thousands you possess. 

Then you'll be thought more of than one 

That want compels to beg, 
Who in the shoes of poverty 

Knows how to drive a peg. 
While many thousands you possess. 

However just and good one be — 

'Tis sad to say, yet true — 
If he is poor or oft in want, 

The world will prefer you, 
While many thousands you possess. 

For gold is the "great thing" to-day 

That mankind love so well, 
•' So you will rarely want for friends 

Wherever you may dwell, 
While many thousands you possess. 



34 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

THE SLAVE TO SELFISHNESS. 

I never give away my gold, 

Or do a generous deed 
To benefit a fellow-man, 

Or aid a friend in need ; 
So, while I live for "number one," 

Why should I kindly act 
While I had rather hoard than give 

And I'm by meanness backed? 

By gosh ! the brotherhood of man 

I care no more about 
Than misers do of those in need — 

There's not the slightest doubt; 
To benefit another, why 

Should I give gold away, 
That I have labored hard to earn 

My needful bills to pay? 

Of others' weal I seldom think 

Or how they daily fare. 
Because, I'm willing to confess. 

For them I never care; 
For I am wed to selfishness. 

And live for self alone. 
Possessing an unfeeHng heart. 

As cold as any stone. 

When I am dead and gone, the world 

Will not feel very bad, 
I guess, but those who labor to 

Do good ought to be glad; 
For why should others madly weep, 

Or deeply feel for me, 
Who in a selfish Hfe believed 

And frowned on charity? 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 35 

WHILE MONEY IS MY FRIEND. 

I can afford to happy feel — 

And I confess I do — 
Now health and cheerfulness are mine, 

And I'm to goodness true, 

While money is my friend. 

Acquaintances to me bow low 

And love to sweetly smile, 
And never lose a chance with me 

A leisure hour to while. 

While money is my friend. 

Now those I long have known, delight 

To quickly notice me, 
And never fail, no matter where. 

To treat me civily. 

While money is my friend. 

Now I can dine, lo, on the best, 

I'm welcome everywhere, 
For I can well afford — I'm sure — 

To sumptuously fare, 

While money is my friend. 

Now I can fashionably dress 

And live in mansions fine, 
And with the rich and prosperous 

At luxury's tables dine, 

While money is my friend. 

By want I'll never be annoyed, 

But luxury will cheer ; 



36 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

And beautify my home, and make 
It seem to me more dear, 
While money is my friend. 

Do what I will, talk as I wish, 

I can hold high my head. 
And blessings numberless enjoy 

And be to plenty wed, 

While money is my friend. 

WHAT MAKES YOU PUT ON AIRS? 

[A Dialogue.] 

Sam — What makes you put on airs and strut 
Like one who walks in folly's rut? 

Bill — Because with gold I'm well supplied. 
And I with plenty now reside. 

Sam — What makes you hold your head so high 
When on the street you pass me by? 

Bill — Because a fortune fell to me 

When you was whaling on the sea. 

Sam — We used to be good friends, you know, 
Tho' I had a hard row to hoe. 

Bill — There is a line between us now — 
A line to which the wealthy bow. 

Sam — Not every one gold can pufif up, 
For some with wisdom love to sup. 

Bill — Alas ! to please the world to-day. 

Those who have gold must court display. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 37 

Sam — Better to act as wisdom would, 

And to your fellow-men do good. 

Bill — I'm selfishly inclined, you know, 
So kindness' seeds I dread to sow. 

Sam — You need not put on airs to please 
The vain or fall down on your knees. 

Bill — I rather show ofif than to live 

As goodness would and freely give. 

Sam — You can old friends treat civilly, 

And from the haunts of meanness flee. 

Bill — Above the poor I feel to-day, 

Now I from want am far away. 

Sam — What can you gain by acting so? 
I fail to see — I'd like to know? 

Bill — Lo ! by the slaves to gold, I'll be 
More highly spoken of — you see. 

NO GREAT LOSS. 

In Westmoreland, there used to live 

A funny kind of man. 
Who loved to haggle o'er a cent, 

As none but misers can. 

A man who dearly loved to hoard 

And play the miser's part ; 
For he, alas ! 'tis sad to say — 

Possessed a stony heart. 



38 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

He was a Reuben widely known — 

And one but few esteemed — 
His mind with tricks and schemes to save, 

Alas ! so thickly teemed. 

Gold was the idol of his heart — 

The only friend he had — 
So when he had a bill to pay 

It made him very mad. 

One stormy night to his abode, 

A heartless robber came, 
When he was fast asleep — for he 

Was there, of course, for game. 

When he'd at length an entrance gained 

And stood close by his bed. 
Rube suddenly awoke — and then, 

Alas! from fright fell dead. 

No flags were flying at half-mast — 

And why, alas ! should they, 
When he would like a bull-dog growl 

When he'd a bill to pay? 

Now what do people say who knew 

That he was ne'er so cross 
As when he had to spend a cent — 

''His death was no great loss." 

GOLD DREW THE LINE. 

Between the rich and poor gold drew the line 

That's never been erased, 
And in the realm of wealth e'en stands by those 

Who have their names disgraced. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 39 

Only the gifted have this Hne o'erleapt, 

When bright their talents shone; 
When they illustrious names could boast — well-known 

In every clime and zone. 

While fools believe that money makes a man, 

This line must still remain, 
And he who may think otherwise, to see • . 

A change, will hope in vain. 

Till mankind on a higher plane shall dwell. 

Who can this line erase. 
While pride and vanity and thirst for gold 

Cling to the human race? 

IN THE MAD RUSH FOR GOLD. 

In this enlightened age of ours. 

How oft in pain we read 
Of sad and touching scenes — which make 

The heart of justice bleed — 
Upon the battle-fields of life. 

So pitiless and cold, 
Where oft we find a brother slain 

In the mad rush for gold! 

In this commercial age of greed, 
What sights now meet our gaze ! 

What spectacles so sad to view 
In these progressive days. 

When men and women, stricken down. 
Are left out in the cold 

By some whom fortune smiles upon 

In the mad rush for gold! 



40 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

When men think more of gold than God, 

Injustice brighter blooms, 
While in the church-yards of the land 

More numerous grow the tombs ; 
When men for earthly riches fight 

And daily grow more bold, 
Why wonder that the weak are slain 

In the mad rush for gold! 

While gold is worshiped night and day 

By those who love success, 
By one who dreams of mansions fair, 

Of luxury and dress; 
Why wonder, friends of truth and right, 

'Cause many a conscience's sold, 
'Cause many a life is sacrificed 

In the mad rush for gold ! 

SPEND MONEY WISELY. 

Spend money wisely, if you wish 

To do as wisdom would. 
While you desire to daily tread 

The paths trod by the good. 

Spend money wisely, if you would 

Not play the part of fool. 
While you, alas! would not belong 
To penury's ragged school. 

Spend money wisely, if you would 

Some day be well-to-do. 
If you to wise discretion would 

Be always just and true. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 4I 

Spend money wisely, while you dread 

To sup with poverty, 
While you with want and recklessness 

Have no desire to be. 

Spend money wisely, while you know 

It is a friend, indeed, 
While you see what it can do for 

One in the hour of need. 

Spend money wisely, lest you lose 

What none can do without. 
And, at those who must saving be, 

Refuse to grin or pout. 

Spend money wisely, if you would 

Be one who looks ahead. 
While you are one who ponders what 

Has been by wisdom said. 

Spend money wisely, lest you reap 

The ills of recklessness, 
Or plenty and prosperity 

Your lot may never bless. 

REFUSE TO ACT DISHONESTLY. 

Refuse to act dishonestly, 

However poor you be, 
Tho' you be forced to dwell with want 

And sup with poverty. 

Refuse to act dishonestly, 

In order to win gold, 
While you would be of those who feel 
At home in justice' fold. 



42 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

Refuse to act dishonestly 
While honor you revere, 

So long as what ennobles man 
To you seems doubly dear. 

Refuse to act dishonestly 
While punishment you dread, 

And with the upright and the good 
You love to daily tread. 

Refuse to act dishonestly 

While mother's name you love, 

And meanness' under-handed ways 
Are wont to feel above. 

Refuse to act dishonestly, 

Lest you your good name crock, 

If you would out of trouble keep 
And not right-living shock. 

Refuse to act dishonestly 
Because you would be rich. 

And never 'low your love of gold 
Your conscience to bewitch. 

Refuse to act dishonestly, 
And never wish to steal, 

But at the shrine of righteousness 
Be seen to daily kneel. 

ONE MAY BE RICH. 

One may be rich and harbor pride, 
And look down on the poor, 

W^hen his unfeeling heart is foul's 
A city's sHmy sewer. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 43 

One may be rich and meanly grin 

At the unfortunate, 
And oft, alas ! be seen to knock 

At meanness' dingy gate. 

One may be rich and know how to 

The part of tyrant play, 
And from the paths of righteousness 

Be prone to widely stray. 

One may be rich and worship greed, 

And miserly become. 
And rarely wish to music make 

On kindness' cheery drum. 

One may be rich and fail to be 

Esteemed and honored by 
Those who uprightly walk in life — 

That to live nobly try. 

One may be rich and oft oppress 

Those whom they ought to aid, 
And play an under-handed part, 

Lo! in the marts of trade. 

THE GOLD-STRUCK MAN. 

The gold-struck man thinks more of gold 

Than of aught else on earth, 
Because, alas ! it seems to him 

Of such intrinsic worth ; 
No matter where he roves or dwells 

He loves to think of it. 
And hopes 'twill be his lot some day 

With millionaires to sit. 



44 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

The gold-struck man can loudly talk 

When money is the theme, 
And when 'twill boom his interests 

He even dares to scream; 
For he will not deny that gold 

Seems precious to his heart, 
That he is never pleased when from 

It he is forced to part. 

The gold-struck man dost sweetest smile 

When money he is making, 
When large amounts — 'tis noised about — 

That he is daily taking; 
For he was taught in early youth 

That money is the prize 
Which one must win if he desires 

Some day in Hfe to rise. 

The gold-struck man thinks less of one 

Who has no faculty 
For coining gold, and who from want 

Is rarely ever free ; 
But loudly lauds those who know how 

To dollars quickly make — 
Since to naught else on mother earth 

Is he so wide awake. 

The gold-struck man gets all he can 

And growls when asked to give, 
Because, on a low plane for gold, 

He's not ashamed to live ; 
So thus it is, and ever'll be. 

While he dares idolize 
What perishes, and ignores God, 

Whom he should higher prize. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 45 

A MAMMON DIALOGUE. 

Churchill — O Reuben ! don't you wish that you 

From want was wholly free, 
So you might dine upon the best 

And dress in style like me? 
Since fortune on me wealth bestowed 

I live like a proud king, 
And do about's I please, and feel 

As bright's a bird in spring. 
Reuben — No, no ! I much prefer to simply live 

And to act sensibly, 
Than to seem like a butterfly, 

Tho' want should bother me. 
Not all are rich — some will be poor — 

So ril not hang my head, 
E'en tho' necessity should make 

Me beg a loaf of bread. 
Churchill — What can like money puff one up, 

Or make him prouder feel? 
So don't blame me because I choose 

With vanity to kneel ; 
Because the seeds of foolishness 

I am inclined to sow, 
E'en if I spend my gold to please 

The love of useless show. 
Reuben — What do you care for me? So what 

I think or dare to say 
Would soon forgotten be by those 

Who with the haughty stray ; 
For those who great possessions own 

Upon the poor look down, 
And, in the pools of selfishness 

Their nobler natures drown. 



46 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

WHEN I RETURNED A MILLIONAIRE. 

Where I in childhood used to play 
And flowers bloomed so bright and gay, 
In a fair village, dear to me, 
Where I in childhood loved to be; 
Oh ! what a welcome I received — 
That pleased me like a hawthorn, leaved, 
When I returned a millionaire. 

How those who once had slighted me 
And often shunned my company, 
When in a humble cot I dwelt 
And I sometimes with penury knelt. 
Did shake my hands and sweetly smile 
And with me loved the time to while, 
When I returned a millionaire. 

Of come account they thought me then — 

A prize among the "upper ten" — 

For there was naught too good for me 

And none who shunned my company, 

As I was then a favorite 

With whom the proudest strove to sit. 

When I returned a millionaire. 

They could not do enough for me. 

Or seek too oft my company, 

For they had never dreamed that I 

Up mammon's mount would climb so high ; 

So they were pleased to show me how 

They could to wealth politely bow. 

When I returned a millionaire. 

I never can too grateful feel 

To those who catered to my weal, 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND XJ 

When in the ville my boyhood knew 
Again its vales I wandered through ; 
Dining once more with friends of old 
Who loved to brag about my gold, 
When I returned a miUionaire. 

WHEN WEALTHY I BECAME. 

When wealthy I became, the world 

Was pleased to notice me, 
And sweetly smiled as cheery babes 

In tender infancy. 

Acquaintances who passed me by 

When I was poor in gold, 
Politely bowed, as I, at last, 

Was one of fortune's fold. 

Then I was looked up to by those 

Who shunned my company 
When I among the needy dwelt 

And dined with poverty. 

Then friends began to multiply, 

To love and flatter me, 
To wish me well and hope my days 

From trouble would be free. 

When I owned a fine residence . 

And could in style appear. 
Then some, who used to grin, e'en dared 

To call me "Lucky Dear." 

Of some account I then was thought. 

For mammon was my friend. 
Who could — and promptly did — to me 

Gold's richest blessings bring, 



48 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 



Life's good things then I did enjoy, 
And oft with sunshine strayed, 

And in my "coach-and-four" rode by 
Where I in childhood played. 

For what like mammon's shining gold 

Can set one on his feet, 
Or makes him quicker noticed be 

By those he loves to greet? 

A BACK NUMBER. 

Yes ! a ''back number" you'll be called — 

No matter where you dwell — 
If what you aim to do in life 

Doth not for mammon tell ; 
If in the busy marts of trade 

To make a mark you fail. 
If you are forced to advertise 

Your store and stock for sale. 

Yes ! a "back number" you'll be called 

If you no knack possess 
For making money, and you are 

Obliged to poorly dress ; 
If 'tis, lo, in the business world 

Your lot to lag behind, 
While you — how hard you strive — the path 

To fortune never find. 

Yes ! a ''back number" you'll be called 

As soon as it is known 
That you but little money earn — 

But then don't sigh and moan; 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 49 

While you no progress make, the world 
Don't seem to care for you, 

While you know what it is to want- 
No matter what you do. 

Yes! a "back number" you'll be called 

Wherever you may roam. 
While you with those whom ill-luck damns 

Are forced to find a home; 
If you, in life, to prosper, fail. 

And far from plenty stray. 
While you pursue some calling that 

The world declares, "don't pay." 

I LOVE MY GOLD TOO WELL. 

To-day "a rich man" I am called, 

But not a generous one, 
For I believe in being snug. 

E'en though it causes fun ; 
For why should I to others give 

Outside my family? 
What profit I would gain thereby 
. I strive in vain to see. 

I think more of my pocket-book 

Than of a man in need, 
So why ought I to kindly act 

Or the half-starved to feed? 
I don't care what the public says, 

It matters not to me, 
So long as I am justified, 

Lo, from a tramp to flee. 

On saving I am so intent 

How could I dare to give, 
When I am ready to confess 



50 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

That I like misers live? 
For when I have to spend a cent 

I like a toper shake, 
And feel as though I'd like to leap 

Into an icy lake. 

So friends, should I die suddenly, 

Remember what I say, 
I love my gold too well to give 

E'en a few cents away ; 
For I believe in getting all 

I can — and hoarding it — 
E'en though among the niggardly 

It be my lot to sit. 

WHO JUDGE FROM THE STANDPOINT OF 
GOLD. 

Who judge from the standpoint of gold 

With pride have much to do, 
And to the rules of decency 

Know how to prove untrue ; 
For they should judge one's character 

And not his bank account. 
If they dare hope to drink some day 

From reason's crystal fount. 

Who judge from the standpoint of gold 

From justice often stray, 
And in the haunts of righteousness 

Are rarely known to stay ; 
For mammon is the god they love. 

That they delight to praise. 
While they, alas, with eager eyes 

On golden dollars gaze. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 5I 

Who judge from the standpoint of gold 

Have much to answer for, 
When in behalf of heartless greed 

They dare to madly war; 
When the oppressed, for mammon's sake, 

They love to bleed and grind, 
And in their soul-degrading work 

Do joy and pleasure find. 

Who judge from the standpoint of gold 

Know how to meanly act. 
Because, alas ! they ne'er have been 

By right and honor backed ; 
Because 'tis character they oug-ht 

To judge and not one's gold; 
Because 'tis plainly to be seen 

They are to mammon sold. 

HOWEVER RICH. 

However rich, you can be good, 
And talk and act as wisdom would ; 
Tho' countless thousands you possess, 
You can your fellow beings bless. 

However rich, you can refrain 
From causing others needless pain. 
And live a life worth living here. 
And to your friends your name endear. 

However rich, you need not be 
One who makes light of poverty. 
Or worship at the shrine of greed, 
Nor, to please gain, your neighbors bleed. 



52 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

However rich, you can shun pride, 
And o'er your neighbors never ride ; 
And, if you will, a good life lead. 
And kindness' precepts daily heed. 

However rich, you can be just. 
And in your heavenly Father trust, 
So long as you would nobly walk 
And justice' progress never balk. 

However rich, do not oppress. 
But follow after righteousness, 
And in the ranks of those be found 
Who never do the homeless hound. 

However rich, you can sow seeds 
That kindness loves and do good deeds ; 
And those whose lot in life is drear 
Be not ashamed to bless and cheer. 

However rich, you can refuse 
The weak and friendless to abuse, 
Or on the public to impose — 
As he who fairly judges knows. 

SHOULD YOU SOME DAY WITH WEALTH 
RESIDE. 

Should you some day with wealth reside, 

Be careful how you act, 
If you would be a friend to worth, 

To principle and tact. 

Should you some day with wealth reside 

On pride of gold look down. 
And on the whims of vanity 

Be not afraid to frown. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 53 

Should you some day with wealth reside, 

Do not act miserly, 
And when you ought to kindly act 

Have no desire to flee. 

Should you some day with wealth reside, 

Strive to act sensibly. 
And from vain fads and foolishness 

Wish to be wholly free. 

Should you some day with wealth reside, 

A part worth acting play. 
And on the stage of life with those 

Who walk uprightly, stray. 

Should you some day with wealth reside. 

Be on the side of right. 
And ne'er your fellow-men oppress, 

Or stray from justice' sight. 

Should you some day with wealth reside, 

With one and all be fair, 
While right and honor you esteem. 

And to be honest, dare. 

Should you some day with wealth reside. 

Be not in touch with greed. 
But good advice from righteousness 

Be not ashamed to heed. 



WHAT FRIEND CAN DO SO MUCH FOR YOU? 

What friend can do so much for you 

As mammon when in need, 
W^hen pennyless and none for you 



54 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

Will do a kindly deed; 
When you are homeless and despised 

By those who judge by gold, 
When sad misfortune forces you 

To sleep out in the cold? 

What friend can do so much for you 

When you have debts to pay, 
And creditors are cross, and you 

Know not, to turn, which way ; 
When sickness comes and you are shunned 

And left, perhaps, to die. 
When you forgotten by the world. 

With poverty dost lie? 

What friend can do so much for you. 

Should you in business fail, 
Or what can fill its place when you 

A pauper's lot bewail ; 
What can make you esteemed again, 

Or set you on your feet. 
Or cause the world to bow and smile 

Like friends you used to greet? 

What friend can make you sweeter smile, 

Or bow so oft to you, 
Or to your interests cause friends 

To be so just and true; 
And, when at last to death you bow, 

And you have said "good-bye," 
What can for your remains so grand 

A mausoleum buy? 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 55 

YES, IF. 

If you in life fail to succeed 

When scrambling after gold, 
Don't be surprised when you some day 

Are left out in the cold. 

If you in money-making fail, 

The world will pass you by. 
And think you as important, lo ! 

As a down-hearted fly. 

If you a dollar rarely see, 

Who then dost care for you? 
The proud and prosperous ? — oh, no ! 

A very, very few. 

If you for want of means are forced 

To in the background keep. 
Who cares among the slaves to gold. 

Tho' you with squalor sleep? 

If you are good, or otherwise — 

No matter what you do — 
While you but little money earn 

The world don't care for you. 

Couplet. 
Of fortune's sons why envious be. 
While you wish to act sensibly? 

THE LOVE OF GOLD. 

The love of gold can cause one to 

A fellow being slay. 
And coax him from the paths of right 



56 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

To wander far away; 
Unless he treads in Jesus' steps 

And with the upright walks, 
Or in the spotless chairs of right 

And honor daily rocks. 

The love of gold can cause one to 

Look down on charity, 
And even force his callous heart 

To become miserly; 
And even ruin one's character 

And mar a worthy name. 
And to a bright and cheery home 

Bring trouble, hate and shame. 

The love of gold can cause one to 

A tyrant's part play well, 
And force dishonest men, for gain. 

Their souls to meanness sell ; 
Since naught can make the greedy act, 

Alas ! so heartlessly 
Toward those who are obliged to toil 

And battle poverty. 

The love of gold, when wed to pride, 

Can slight the wise and good. 
If they are poor and rarely act 

As right and goodness would ; 
For none can more absurdly act 

Than one whom gold puffs up, 
Who with the vain and foppish few 

Is often seen to sup. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 57 

MONEY AND OLD-AGE. 

If you are old and wealthy, too. 

The world for you will care, 
And seek your company so long 

As you do richly fare; 
For money makes the aged seem 

More pleasing to the eye. 
When they have much of this world's goods — 

For what so many sigh. 

If you are old and wealthy, too. 

You'll ne'er neglected be 
By those who love to flatter gold 

And sneer at poverty ; 
But you will have a welcome warm 

Wherever you may go. 
While money is the thing the world 

Esteems the most, you know. 

If you are old and wealthy, too. 

The world will bow to you. 
And in your pathway, night and day, 

The seeds of flattery strew ; 
For then you are of some account. 

Your neighbors love to think. 
Whom from the bitter fount of greed 

Are not ashamed to drink. 

If you are old and wealthy, too. 

Your friends will sweetly smile. 
And love with you whene'er they can, 

An idle hour to while; 



58 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

And never call you "burdensome," 

But on you gladly wait, 
And toward you civil act, like one 

Who knocks at justice' gate. 

MY GREEDY HEIRS. 

Now I am dead and gone, I hope 

My heirs are satisfied. 
Since they declared, long 'ere I did, 

"He should have sooner died," 
As they thought more about my gold 

Than they e'er did of me, 
Tho' they my smiling countenance 

Seemed always glad to see. 

My greedy heirs are feasting now 

On what I labored for 
From early morn till late at night. 

When trying days I saw. 
And laughing in their sleeves, because 

At last I'm out of sight — 
As I should be — since I on earth 

Was very, very tight. 

The poor are better off, I think, 

Tho' some wish they were dead. 
When they with poverty are forced 

To daily make their bed ; 
So my gold-loving heirs, I'm sure. 

Will not mourn long for me. 
But rather loudly celebrate — 

I was so miserly. 

I was so very close on earth 
I might as well be here. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 59 

For whom, I now believe, my heirs 

Have never shed a tear ; 
And why should they, I'd like to know, 

When they longed for my death. 
While night and day they hoped and prayed 

That I would lose my breath? 

WHILE YOU HAVE MONEY. 

You never need to friendless be. 
Or shake the hand of poverty. 
While you have money. 

You can with plenty always dine 
And clothing wear that's rich and fine, 
While you have money. 

You can sometimes with gold be free 
And give to aid humanity, 
While you have money. 

You can a stranger be to debt 
And shining greenbacks often pet, 
While you have money. 

You can in your own home abide 
And with the prosperous daily ride. 
While you have money. 

You can be thought more of than one 
Who never saw prosperity's sun, 
While you have money. 

You can for worthy objects give. 
And in the haunts of affluence live, 
While you have money. 



6o MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

You can be flattered and admired 
Till you of foolishness are tired, 
While you have money. 

■ You can the innocent betray 
And lure them from the right away. 
While you have money, 

You can the cause of goodness aid 
And be a power in marts of trade, 
While you have money. 

You can oppress or justice woo. 
Or widely seeds of kindness strew. 
While you have money. 

I'M CALLED A GENTLEMAN. 

Because I great possessions own 

And in a mansion dwell, 
Because I fashionably dress 

And look so very swell, 

I'm called "a gentleman." 

While I in costly coaches ride 
With multi-millionaires. 

And I can chum and feast with one 
Who always richly fares, 
I'm called "a, gentleman." 

While fortune on me sweetly smiles, 
And I am living on 

The interest of my gold, and I 
Can blow on plenty's horn, 
I'm called "a gentleman." 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 6l 

E'en when I do not live and act 

As right and honor would, 
E'en when 'tis known that I dislike 
- To labor to do good, 
' I'm called "a gentleman." 

When I from goodness' paths depart 

And sneer at honesty. 
While I can like a monarch live 

E'en then by some, by gee ! 

I'm called "a gentleman." 

But, oh ! if e'er my fortune flees. 

And I my bills can't pay, 
Then, truthfully, I must confess, 

I could no longer say, 

I'm called "a gentleman." 

THO' TALENTED OR NOT. 

Tho' talented or not, if you 

Among the needy dwell, 
But few among your fellow-men 

Will stop to wish you well ; 
When keenly pierce the pangs of want 

But few will notice you. 
But rather wish your humble name 

On earth they never knew. 

Tho' talented or not, if you 

No influence possess. 
If you are poor in this world's goods — 

Tho' rich in righteousness, 
But few will stoop to notice you, 



62 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

Unless to meanly grin 
At your expense, and often swear 
That ''poverty is sin." 

Tho' talented or not, but few 

Will lend a helping hand 
If you, alas ! belong to sad 

Misfortune's luckless band ; 
While fortune frowns upon your lot 

And you're unknown to fame, 
But few, indeed, will notice you, 

Tho' spotless be your name. 

Tho' talented or not, if you 

Are cursed by penury, 
Friends will be few, so long as you 

Know not prosperity; 
So long as you are poorly dressed 

But few will bow to you. 
No matter what your talents are — 

No matter what you do. 

UNJUSTLY SLIGHTED. 
[A Dialogue.] 

John — Why do you never visit me 

Or wish your friend of old to see? 

Charles — Because you dress so shabbily 
And dine so oft with poverty. 

John — Why do you slight me everywhere 
And never think of my welfare? 

Charles— Because, like me, you cannot show 
A bank account — as you well know. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 63 



John — When I was well-to-do, you shook 

My hand and in my face would look. 

Charles — When you had gold, I must admit, 
With you I want ashamed to sit. 

John — When I had gold and could in style 
Appear, at me you loved to smile. 

Charles — This solemn fact I can't deny, 

For then I bowed when we passed by. 

John — Then in my company you felt 

At home and with me kindly dealt. 

Charles — Well, you are poor enough to-day 
To make me wish you far away. 

John — By gold and style you judge, I see, 
And not as goodness, righteously. 

Charles — I'm like the world that loves to slight 

The poor — though it be wrong or right. 

John — The world lauds those who wealth possess 
And in the height of fashion dress. 

Charles — I can't deny what you have said. 
Because, by pride, I own I'm led. 

John — 'Tis pride of gold that makes you slight 
One who would for your welfare fight. 

Charles — Ay, ay! this is the real cause 

That makes me tread on justice' laws. 



64 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

John — If I was well supplied with gold 
I would not be out in the cold. 

Charles — Then I would quickly call on you 
And to your interests be true. 

THE MODEL BUSINESS MAN. 
[From the moral standpoint.] 

The model business man is one 

Who stands by honesty 
In sunshine and in storm, and from 

The right would never flee ; 
Who ne'er becomes a slave to greed 

Nor blindly worships gold, 
But lives like one who has for gain 

His conscience never sold. 

Who is a foe to shameless graft, 

Wherever he may dwell. 
Whose actions night and day for truth 

And justice wisely tell. 
Refusing to be bribed — how rich, 

How great the briber be, 
But daily walking in the steps 

Of those from meanness free. 

Who never dares to basely steal, 

Or to misrepresent. 
Nor e'en the rich or poor, out of 

A cent, would ever cheat ; 
Whose word can be depended on 

In dark or sunny hours — 

Whose honest methods none condemn- 
On whom fall justice' showers. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 65 

Who never takes advantage of 

Or others dare oppress, 
But to fair-deaHng is a friend 

That stands by righteousness ; 
Who daily strives to justly live, 

As worth and honor would, 
And never longs to wander from 

The worthy and the good. 

NO CHANGE IN ME. 



Now fortune at me sweetly smiles 
And I with wealth can dine. 
And easily a banker's check 

For thousands quickly sign ; 
No change in me, my neighbors say. 

Has come in consequence, 
Since I have in a mansion dwelt 
And called on wealthy gents; 

For why should gold cause me to slight 

The friends I used to know, 
And, consequently, cause me to 

The seeds of folly sow? 
So I shall not unjustly act 

And play the part of fool, 
Till I forget what I once learned 

In wise instruction's school. 

Why should I change for mammon's sake, 

As shallow minds have done, 
And for those who have better sense 

An object be for fun. 
When I was wiser taught at home 



66 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

By one I dearly prize, 
Whose hallowed memory to my heart 
Is bound by filial ties? 

However wealthy I become 
I'll not old friends e'er slight 

So long as I shall wisely act 

And battle for the right; 

While I am not a slave to pride, 
To gold and foolishness. 

While I my fellow-men, than harm. 
Had rather cheer and bless. 

THE YOUNG DO WELL. 

The young do well when they refuse 

To squander gold, 
When they shun those who have their souls 

To mammon sold. 

The young do well when they would not 

Act niggardly, 
When they on saving are intent 

That they may prosperous be. 

The young do well who see that gold 

Don't pufif them up. 
When they act sensibly and quafif 

From wisdom's cup. 

The young do well, indeed, when they 

For others feel. 
When they for gold refuse to lie. 

To cheat and steal. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 67 

A TOUCHING DIALOGUE. 

Tom — We used to play together, Ben, 
In childhood — long ago, 
In a fair country town, where pinks 
And daisies grow. 



Ben — Oh, yes ! I know full well we did, 
And pleasant days were spent 
Where nature's charms can bless and cheer 
And we were quite content. 



Tom — 'Tis true, indeed, we were quite pleased 
To live a simple life, 
For we were happy strangers then 
To greed's unrighteous strife. 

Ben — We thought of play, and not of gold, 
Of having a good time, 
When in our purses we could not 
E'en find a silver dime. 



Tom — Years, memory loves to cherish so, 
Passed rapidly away. 
And now to-day one ne'er would think 
I used with you to play. 



Ben — 'Tis true, those golden days have passed 
And we no longer meet 
On the same level, or e'en bow 
When passing on the street. . 



68 MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

Tom — To-day the world is wont to judge 
One by his gold and style, 
So, should you speak to one so poor 
It might provoke a smile. 

Ben — An old friend I dislike to slight, 
But gold makes me feel proud, 
So, I suppose there'll be no change 
Till I have donned the shroud. 

Couplet. 

Purse-pride is not in touch with common sense, 
Nor longs to climb o'er understanding's fence. 

QUARTRAIN. 

Who slights the worthy to 

Please pride of gold. 
Deserves some day to sleep 

Out in the cold. 



QUARTRAIN. 

How gold can puff the empty-minded up 
And cause a fool to boast, 
And stimulate the simpletons who cruise 
Along vain folly's coast! 



Couplet. 

One may make money and disgrace his name, 
And recklessly his friends and neighbors shame. 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 69 

Couplet. 

Who, but a fool, admires a summer friend, 
Or would to him their purses gladly lend? 



Couplet. 

Money can seeds of hatred sow, 
And cause men to strike a death blow. 

QUARTRAIN. 

Money can force rich relatives 
At their poor kin to grin. 

Thus forcing them against their will 
To be in touch with sin. 



QUARTRAIN. 

One can be rich and kindly seem. 

Or poor and selfish act. 
Or those who wisely live are not 

In touch with right and tact. 

Couplet. 

Not all who wed for gold find happiness. 
Or those who grind the poor the lowly bless. 

Quartrains. 

Not all whom fortune favors most 

Are fond of doing good, 
Or long to play a noble part 

In life as goodness would. 



70 



MAMMON IN VERSELAND 

Far from dishonesty reside 

And never dare to cheat, 
If you in goodness' fields, than tares, 

Had rather garner wheat. 

To aid the interests of sin 

Your gold refuse to give, 
While you with those who wisely walk 

Desire to daily live. 

Couplet. 

Beware of those who never give, 
If you desire to nobly five. 



Jill 10 1908 



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